Nedbank chairman Reuel Khoza did not deserve to be “clobbered” for expressing his opinion, IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said on Friday.
Writing in his weekly newsletter, Buthelezi referred to ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe’s statement earlier this month that Khoza should not be talking about politics, but rather about business.
“One could just as well say that all those well-connected ANC leaders who are involved in business should get out of politics. Politics and business are interwoven. Whatever is done in one sphere has an impact on the other,” the Inkatha Freedom Party leader said.
Khoza, writing in Nedbank's latest annual report released at the end of March, said South Africa's “strange breed” of leadership needed to adhere to the institutions that underpinned democracy. The political climate was not a picture of an accountable democracy, he said.
“Our political leadership's moral quotient is degenerating and we are fast losing the checks and balances that are necessary to prevent a recurrence of the past.”
Khoza said South Africans had a duty to build and develop the nation, and hold their leaders accountable.
“We have a duty to build and develop this nation and to call to book the putative leaders who, due to sheer incapacity cannot deal with the complexity of 21st century governance and leadership, cannot lead,” said Khoza.
Buthelezi accused Mantashe of “playing the man, not the ball”.
“He (Khoza) is not only entitled to an opinion, but has the credibility to offer an opinion worth listening to.
“Dr Khoza expressed an opinion, one that was clearly shared by other leaders in business, judging by their response. He does not deserve to be clobbered for it.”
Buthelezi said the ANC reacted like a bully to Khoza’s statement. - Sapa